The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-29
SNALLTOWNSASK ASHOW
oPE1,IKA CLAIMS TO BE CHAINED
BY THE RAILROADS.

Memorialists State That She is So Dis
crinainated Against That She Cannot
Compete with Her Rivals Maj. Han
son Sums Up in Favor of Suspending
the Fourth Clause.
ATLANTA, GA, April 2S--The Interstate
Commission met at 10 o'clock this morning.
The railroad officials having closed their
cases. so far as the examination of witnesses
was concerned, many had left the city. A
number of railway men, however, were
present. Judge Cooley announced the readi-
ness of the commission to hear from those
favoring the enforcement of the long and
short haul cla ~ . None responded. A
memorial was received from Wilmington,
NC. signed by members of the Chamber
of Commerce, strongly urging the enforce
ment of the long and short haul section
No further testimony was taken on this
point.
A strong m .morial was received from the
business men of Opelika, showing how the
railroads Disseminated against that town in
favor of Columbus and Montgomery.
Judge Cooley asked if there were any
more witnesses to be examined, and none ap-
pearing he stated that arguments would be
heard
judge Chisholm counsel of the Plant sys-
tenn, made an argument favoring a suspen-
sion of the long and short haul clauses. He
was followed by Gen. E. P. Alexander,
President of the Georgia railroad, on the
same side The commission then took a re-
cess till o'clock this afternoon.
SMALL TOWNS GIVEN A SHOW.
Small towns presented their case through
of lro Ha
mortal from &c citizens and Board of Trade
of Opelika, Ala. showing that that city has
no outlet a. d that she is being ruined by
unjust discrimination in favor of Mont
gomery, Columbus and other sections of
Alabama and Georgia.
w o. Harwell, a merchant of Opelika
was introduced as a witness to show how
rates of freight now existing discrim-
mated against that place. He was sub
jected to very close cross-qu questioning by the
Commissioners After Mr. Harwell had
been crOSs-questioned by several railroad
men, who did not succeed in confusing him
as they did others, Mr. Ponder was again
permitted to take the stand and to make
few additional statements. He asked that
they be given a fair chance to compete with
Columbus, Montgomery, and other cities.
MAI. HANSON SUMS UP.
Maj J. F. Hanson summed up for those
VINO WanUeu suspension OF Gne IOufth sec
ton. He argued that the interests of mer-
chants are local and need the benefit of COM
petitve rates with surrounding points, while
manufacturers trade all over the Union and
require low rates Long haul rates enable
one section to transport its surplus to an
other, where it is needed. To abolish such
rates would be to destroy business
West as well as South. Local rates cannot
be lowered as they are already low enough.
The complaints which come in are from
such small towns as Jonesboro, which desire
the same rates as those enjoyed by Atlanta.
Il Farmers, he said, are not here because they
4 nave no grievances to be redressed.
AT this point DR.. Pike Hill, an Atlanta
lawyer who recently removed to Dallas and
VINO claimed to represent the farmers,
stated that the farmers are not here because
tthtey depend upon the commission to enforce
phe law fourth section and all
Ten. 4. p Alexander occupied the entire
afternoon session with the presentation of
the reasons why it would not do to enforce
.ne fourth section in the South. The Com
uhlSsloners closely cross-examined him.
AZ ~ o'clock tonight the commission
started for Mobile, Ala.